tower block collapse, USA News (Canning Town, east London): Hundreds of renters and homeowners in three east London apartment blocks were suddenly evacuated from their homes after being told they are at risk of collapse. Residents living in more than 200 apartments across three blocks in Canning Town, east London, were ordered to leave because of serious structural issues that pose a risk to life.
Many residents in Centurion Tower, Sovereign Tower and St Vincent Court—which are less than 10 years old and part of the Royal Gateway development—were evacuated at around 2am on Saturday and still have no idea when they will be able to return.
Matt Finch, 38, only found out he had to flee his one-bedroom flat, which he bought as a new-build for £335,000 in 2018, after police knocked on his door in the early hours because he had missed an alert sent to a residents WhatsApp group. He said he was confused and worried, and put together a backpack with medication, a couple of sets of clothes, and his laptop.
Mr Finch, who is currently setting up his own business, is now staying with his dad in Kent and is concerned about what will become of his home in Centurion Tower, where he has hundreds of thousands of pounds invested.
Ashwin Wilson, 44, who has been renting a one-bedroom flat in Sovereign Tower for £2,375 a month since 2024, said when she was evacuated all Newham Council could offer was a mattress on the floor in a local community centre for one night. He and his wife are now staying with friends.
Mr Wilson expressed disbelief upon receiving the WhatsApp notice to leave. He noted his landlord has been generous, allowing them to end the tenancy and refunding rent for the rest of the month, but added there has been zero communication about current developments or cost reimbursements as they urgently seek short-term accommodation.
The evacuation came after a letter sent to residents stated that structural issues in the buildings could result in a collapse. Prime Property Management, which manages the development, stated that the risk was linked to cracks and sagging in transfer slabs beneath the three blocks, built by British housebuilder Galliard in 2018. Transfer slabs beneath the buildings help hold the weight of columns and walls above. The issues are similar to those that forced an evacuation at the Stratford Halo estate in east London last Christmas.
Newham Council stated it had set up a rest centre and provided emergency accommodation on the night of the evacuation, urging residents to contact Prime Property Management for additional support regarding longer-term alternative accommodation.
Prime Property Management stated the issue was first raised by engineers during work to prepare building safety cases for the development, noting they recognize the enormity of asking anyone to leave their home and made the decision because safety is their immediate priority to enable residents to return as quickly as possible when safe.
